Daniels, who is 67, will step down Feb. 28, a few years before she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Democrats have made recommendations for openings since Greitens, a Republican, took office in January 2017, but he has not selected any of the nominees. The central committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at their headquarters at 409 Vandiver Drive.

So far, the party's only announced candidate for the post is Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Morrell, who launched her campaign last month. Morrell and any other attorneys interested in the office will get a chance to make their pitch for the recommendation at the meeting, Hellwege said.

"I heard from the governor's office they want to put a name forward this week," Hellwege said.

Boone County Republicans have not received a message asking for a recommendation, Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Zweifel said. The party bylaws make a quick meeting impossible and the next regular meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, he said.

After the committee's recommendation of Richard Hicks for the post vacated in the summer by retired Judge Christine Carpenter was passed over by Greitens in favor of Brouck Jacobs, there may not be much reason to make a recommendation, Zweifel said.

"On the whole I am telling people to apply directly to the governor’s office," Zweifel said. "We recommended Richard Hicks last time and that didn’t work out so well for us recommending. It is up to the governor’s office. If they want to make an appointment this week, it is up to them."

Daniels' position is one of six judicial seats on the Boone County ballot this year and retirements will mean three of them will be filled by new officeholders. Along with Daniels and Carpenter, Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bradley, who would be 70 before the end of the next term, is not seeking re-election. Two of the offices are circuit judge positions — currently held by Republicans Kevin Crane and Jacobs — and four are associate judge seats — currently held by Daniels, Bradley, Leslie Schneider and Kimberly Shaw, all Democrats.

Filing for all offices to be filled at the Nov. 6 election begins Feb. 27.

Morrell, who has worked in Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight’s office since 2007, said Monday that she will seek to convince voters her experience as a prosecutor has made her ready to seek the judicial post.

“I have been an attorney for nearly 20 years, a courtroom attorney, and I have a dedication to our community and I feel like continuing that by ensuring our community is better and safer is something I have always wanted to pursue,” Morrell said.

Morrell, a mother of two, was an assistant attorney general from 2000 to 2007.

Associate circuit judges handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases, small claims lawsuits and the preliminary proceedings in felony criminal cases, among other duties. They are the judges any member of the public is most likely to see if they are brought to court.

The quality that is most important is for people, especially those unfamiliar with the courts, to know they have been treated fairly, Morrell said.

“They need to know they have a judge there that understands the system, knows the law and they have their opportunity to be heard,” she said.

Crane, who was first elected in 2006, will be seeking his third six-year term. He has about $26,000 in a campaign fund from previous races and said Monday that he will not raise money unless an opponent files against him.

Jacobs raised $90,449 since forming his campaign committee on Nov. 1. Greitens appointed Jacobs on Oct. 13. He began raising money quickly to make sure it was clear to potential opponents that he was serious about seeking a full term, Jacobs said Monday.

“It was gratifying and it is also humbling,” Jacobs said of his fundraising success. “It was nice to see such a broad base of support for my continuing to serve in that capacity. I think I need to show that I am committed to continue to serve and one of the ways to do that is to show you have raised enough money to continue.”

First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tracy Gonzalez, a Democrat, announced in early January her plans to seek the seat held by Bradley.

Shaw said Monday she will be a candidate for re-election. Schneider could not be reached.

Before they launched their campaigns, coworkers Gonzalez and Morrell briefly discussed which seats they would seek, Morrell said. She said she intends to continue working in the prosecutor’s office during the campaign.

Morrell’s campaign will emphasize her abilities as a prosecuting attorney and a record that includes convictions in 20 murder or manslaughter cases. She prosecuted James R. Thompson, Casey Lewis and two others for a 2013 murder-for-hire scheme, winning convictions or guilty pleas from all the suspects.

“Ultimately, like a prosecutor, a judge ... is seeking justice,” Morrell said. “Being a prosecuting attorney is not about winning or losing, but justice. A judge hears two different sides in a case and they must follow the law and ultimately give justice, giving that decision one way or another.”

Associate circuit judges are elected from a single county and serve four-year terms. Circuit judges are elected by voters in Boone and Callaway counties, which make up the 13th Judicial Circuit, and serve six-year terms.

Hellwege said Democrats expect to field candidates for all the judicial seats, including the two held by Republicans. GOP recruiting efforts have been more difficult, Zweifel said.

"I have been asking around and others have been asking around about the judicial spots," he said. "What I have found is a lot of them don’t want to run against a sitting judge."

rkeller@columbiatribune.com

573-815-1709

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